Diversion Alerts

The Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency intends to utilize this website to alert healthcare professionals and law enforcement agencies of prescription drug diversion problems. The content provided here is not to be used as probable cause nor is it to be used as the sole reason for refusing to fill or write a prescription. Healthcare professionals are expected to use professional judgment when dealing with all patients.

Pharmacy staff members who wish to report fraudulent prescription activity are encouraged to download and complete a Fraudulent Prescription Documentation Form at the bottom of this page. This form may be completed and kept on file in the pharmacy department or a copy of it may be provided to the local police department, sheriff's office, or other law enforcement agency. This form is completely voluntary.

Prescriptions written for animals and diverted for human use. Pharmacists are reminded prescriptions written for animals may only be authorized by a licensed veterinarian in the usual course of professional practice. Prescriptions written for animals may not be diverted for use by a human for any reason. Any such act is a violation of Georgia law.

Questionable Controlled Substance Prescriptions from Out of State Physicians. Recently there have been numerous prescriptions presented to Georgia pharmacies allegedly written by physicians in Florida - primarily the Ft. Lauderdale area. The patients are presenting driver's licenses from states such as Kentucky and North Carolina. Pharmacists are encouraged to take steps to ensure these prescriptions are written for a legitimate medical purpose prior to filling them.

Promethazinewith Codeine Fraudulent Prescriptions. Numerous Georgia law enforcement agencies and pharmacists have reported an increase in fraudulent prescriptions for promethazine with codeine liquid. The fraudulent prescriptions are sometimes written for unusually large quantities. Pharmacists are encouraged to verify any unusual prescription.

Fraudulent Prescriptions Printed on Watermark and Tamper Resistant Paper. There has been an increase in fraudulent prescriptions in Georgia printed on watermark and tamper resistant paper. Some of the paper contained red "RX" on the back that disappeared when rubbed. Some of the fraudulent prescription paper produced the word "VOID" when photocopied. Pharmacists are encouraged not to consider a prescription is valid based soley on the type of paper on which it is printed.